Free-agent outfielder Nick Swisher is unlikely to return to the New York Yankees, but he wants to make sure his departure happens on good terms.

Swisher, who spent four seasons in pinstripes, apologized for criticizing Yankees fans who booed him during his postseason struggles.

Nick Swisher had a miserable final playoff series. (AP Photo)

"It was a bad time, and the end of the season was hard for all of us. If I offended anybody with what I said, I apologize. I didn’t mean it; Yankees fans are the greatest in the world," Swisher told the New York Daily News. “There’s no better place to play than Yankee Stadium in front of that New York fan base.”

Swisher admitted to being "hurt" that the hometown fans voiced their displeasure toward him during Game 2 of the ALCS. The weak-hitting Yankees were swept by the Detroit Tigers in that series, during which Swisher was just 3-for-12 with one RBI (after going 2-for-18 with one RBI in the ALDS).